Photographic lettering composer



July 15, 1969 D]. F. BUCKINGHAM 3,455,216

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' 9 M ii United States Patent Int. Cl. B41b 17/06 US. C]. 95-45 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Type font is provided in the nature of a photographic slide having a type character and an index mark thereon. The index mark is at a predetermined distance from the type character to allow uniform spacing of type optically projected onto, and hence printed on a photosensitive printing material at a printing station. The photosensitive printing material is fed by a friction roller from a supply of photosensitive printing material, and the moving photosensitive printing material in turn frictionally drives a mechanism raising a photocell into position to intercept the projected image of the index mark, and thereby to stop the drive mechanism in position for the type character optically to be projected on a photosensitive material on opening of a shutter.

This invention relates generally to a printing machine, and more particularly to a machine for reproducing selected type characters from a font of type onto photosensitive printing material.

Prior art printing machines commonly include a projector unit for projecting an image of a type character from a font of type onto a strip of photosensitive printing material at a printing station. The photosensitive printing material is exposed to the projected image for a predetermined time period. After the predetermined time period has elapsed, a shutter is moved in front of the printing material to cover the printing station and a drive mechanism is energized to move the printing material for a predetermined distance relative to the printing station. This movement of the printing material, relative to the printing station, positions an unexposed area of the printing material for subsequent exposure to a projected image of the next type character in a series of type characters. The movement of the printing material, relative to the printing station, also locates a series of replicas of type characters in a predetermined spaced-apart relationship relative to each other.

The generally satisfactory performance of the prior art printing machines is shown by their usage in printing many different kinds of compositions. However, the prior art printing machines have encountered serious difliculties in moving the strips of photosensitive material for a predetermined distance relative to the printing station. This difficulty results from slippage between the photosensitive strip of printing material and the drive mechanism for the strip. When slippage occurs between the strip of printing material and the drive mechanism, the letters in a series are positioned different distances apart rather than the same predetermined distance apart. The uneven spacing of print characters is often increased, in prior art machines, by backlash which develops between gears in the drive mechanism. This uneven spacing between a series of print characters usually requires that the material be reprinted, since the uneven spacing can be detected by a reader.

In addition to problems of obtaining even character spacing, manufacturers of printing machines are constantly subjected to the necessity of minimizing the cost of components and assembly time for the printing machines in order to meet competition and efiiciently fill the 3,455,216 Patented July 15, 1969 needs of the printing industry. The complex arrangements of gears and clutches commonly used in prior art printing machines greatly increases both the cost of the components of the machine and the assembly time required to manufacture the machine. In addition to increasing the initial cost of the printing machine, the complex drive mechanisms of prior art machines tend to wear and fail after the machine has been in use for a relatively short: period of time.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved printing machine which overcomes the aforementioned limitations of prior art constructions. Specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive and durable drive arrangement for the photosensitive printing material in a printing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a drive arrangement for a printing machine wherein an even spacing of a series of characters on a strip of photosensitive printing material can be obtained even when slippage occurs between the drive for the printing material and the printing material.

Another object of this invention is to minimize wear and failure of an actuator and control mechanism for a shutter and printing material drive of a printing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a printing material drive mechanism for a printing machine which spaces each character of a series of characters a predetermined distance apart on a strip of photosensitive printing material.

These, and other objects and features of the invention, will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a printing machine forming a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a slide member intended for use in a projector unit of the strip printing machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustrating the relationship of a drive mechanism for a strip of photosensitive printing material, a shutter for covering a printing station where the photosensitive printing material is exposed, and a photoelectric control mechanism for the drive mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an exposed section of the photosensitive printing material;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1, illustrating the relationship of the drive mechanism to the photosensitive strip of printing material and the photoelectric control mechanism;

FIG. 6- is an enlarged sectional view, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5, illustrating the relationship of a drive roller for the photoelectric control structure to the drive mechanism for the photosensitive printing material, the drive roller for the photoelectric control structure being shown in a disengaged position to enable the photoelectric structure to pivot downwardly to the initial position shown;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 6, illustrating the drive roller for the photoelectric control structure in an engaged position for moving the photoelectric control structure from the initial position, shown in FIG. 6, to a sensing position, shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view, taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 1, illustrating the relative positioning of actuator solenoids for the shutter and the photoelectric drive roller;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the actuator solenoid for the photoelectric drive roller, and a linkage for connecting the solenoid to the photoelectric drive roller;

FIG. is an elevational view, taken along the line 1010 of FIG. 8, illustrating the relationship of the photoelectric drive roller to the photosensitive printing material drive mechanism, and further illustrating the relation of the shutter actuator solenoid to the shutter;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a linkage for connecting the shutter actuator solenoid to the shutter and for operating a switch to disable the drive mechanism for the photosensitive printing material when the shutter is pivoted to expose the photosensitive printing material at the printing station; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of control circuitry utilized with the printing machine.

, Referring now more specifically to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a printing machine or photocompositor 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The printing machine 20 includes a base 22 from which a control unit 24 projects transversely outwardly. A projector unit 26 is mounted on the base 22 and includes an optical lens assembly 28. The assembly 28 can be adjusted to focus a light beam on a printing unit or assembly 30. The light beam projects an image of indicia from a slide member 34 (see FIG. 2) onto a strip of photosensitive printing material 36 at a printing station 38 of the printing unit or assembly 30. The slide member 34 includes a type character or other suitable indicia 40 and an index mark 42. The type character 40 is projected onto the photosensitive printing material 36 at the printing station 38 while the index mark 42 is projected adjacent to the printing station 38 in a spaced apart relationship relative to the photosensitive printing material.

The printing unit 30 includes a storage box or chamber 46 for storing a supply of the photosensitive printing material 36. The photosensitive printing material is moved from the storage chamber or box 46 to the printing station 38 by a printing material drive assembly 48. The photosensitive printing material is exposed, for a predetermined time period, at the printing station 38 to a projected image of the type character 40. The drive assembly 48 then moves the exposed printing material into a storage chamber, not shown, in the base 22.

A shutter 52 is pivotally mounted on the front of the printing unit or assembly 30 for controlling the exposure of the photosensitive printing material 36. As is perhaps best seen in FIG. 3, the shutter 52 is pivotable from a first position covering the printing station 38, as illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3, to a second position uncovering the printing station 38, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3, to expose the strip of photosensitive material to an image of the type character projected from the projector assembly 26. After a predetermined exposure period elapses, the shutter 52 is pivoted from the second position beneath the printing station back to the covering position, shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, by an actuator solenoid 54 which is connected to the shutter 52 by a linkage 56. When the shutter 52 is in the covering position, illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3, the shutter is intermediate the printing station 38 and the optical lens assembly 28 of the projector unit 26 so that an image of the type character 40 is projected onto the shutter 52 and the photosensitive printing material is not exposed. When the shutter 52 is pivoted downwardly to the position illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 3, the image of the type character 40 is projected onto the photosensitive printing material 36, since the shutter 52 is no longer intermediate the projector lens assembly 28 and the printing station 38. Thus, the shutter 52 limits the time for which the photosensitive printing material 36 is exposed at the printing station 38 to a projected image of a typed character 40.

A photoelectriecontrol unit 60 is pivotally mounted for movement from an initial lower position, illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, to a second higher sensing position adjacent to the printing station 38, as illustrated in FIG, 7. As the photoelectric control unit 60 moves from the initial position to the sensing position, the strip of photosensitive printing material 36 is moved relative to the printing station 38 to space apart images of type characters formed on the printing material 36. When the photoelectric control unit 60 is at the second sensing position, adjacent to the printing station 38, an image of the index mark 42 is projected onto the photoelectric control unit 60 by the lens assembly 28 of the projector unit 26. The image of the index mark 42 is then sensed by the photoelectric control unit 60 to actuate the control unit and limit the spacing between printed type characters to a predetermined amount.

An exposedsection of the photosensitive printing material 36 is illustrated in FIG. 4. Images 64 of type charactersor other indicia have been formed on the printing material 36 by the projection of the image of a type character 40 on the slide 34 onto the photosensitive printing material at the printing station 38. Since the width of the type characters varies, the space alloted to each image 64 of a type character on the photosensitive printing material 36 varies. However, the spacing between the images '64 is maintained constant by the interaction of a projected image of the index mark 42 and the photoelectric control unit 60.

The index marks 42, on the slides 34, are positioned in alignment with a forward edge of the type characters 40 on the slides. The index marks are projected to a position adjacent to the printing material 36 at the printing station 38. The printing material 36 is moved, by the drive mechanism 48, relative to the printing station 38 until the photoelectric control unit 60 is raised from the initial position to the sensing position adjacent the printing station 38. At that time an image 66 (see FIG. 4) of the index mark 42 is projected onto the photoelectric control unit 60 to activate photocells within the control unit. When photocells are activated within the control unit 60, the drive 48 for the photosensitive printing material is disabled to stop the movement of the printing material relative to the printing station and to limit the spacing between type characters, until a second type character is exposed. Thus, by means of movement of the photoelectric control unit 60 from an initial position to a sensing position, printed type characters 64 are spaced a predetermined distance apart on the printing material 36 to form an evenly spaced series of type characters. The construction of the printing machine or photocom positor 20 and the interaction of the slide member 34 and the photoelectric control unit 60 is broadly similar to that disclosed in application Ser. No. 409,113, filed on Nov. 5, 1964, by Radtke. Reference should be made to the aforementioned application for further details concerning the construction of the projector unit 26 and the interaction between the projector unit and the printing unit 30.

Referring now to the printing unit 30 in greater detail, as is seen in FIG. 1, the printing material drive assembly 48 moves the printing material 36 from the storage chamber or box 46 past the printing station 38 and into a suitable storage container in the base 22 of the printing machineQThe printing material drive assembly 48, as is best seen in FIG. 5, includes a drive motor 70 which is connected by a series of gears 72 to a drive roller 74 which is mounted in frictional engagement with a first outer surface 76 of the photosensitive printing material 36. A second idler roller 78 is mounted in frictional engagement with a second opposite inner surface 80 of the photosensitive printing material 36. The two rollers 74 and 78 are mounted in opposition to each other, with their longitudinal axes in a parallel relationship. The drive roller 74 is urged against the outer surface 76 of the photosensitive printing material 36 by means of resilient spring mountings 82 and 84, which engage opposite ends 86 and 88 of a transversely extending mounting shaft 90 for'the roller 74. The roller 74 is driven by the motor 70 through the two spur gears 94 and 96. The rotation of the roller 74 moves the printing material 36 downwardly past the printing station 38. As the printing material 36 moves downwardly past the printing station, the idler roller 78 is rotated by frictional contact with the inner surface 80 of the photosensitive printing material 36. Since the idler roller 78 is rotated only by the movement of the printing material, the rotation of the idler roller is always a direct function of the movement of the printing material regardless of Whether or not the drive roller 74 slips or rotates relative to the printing material.

As is perhaps best seen in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the movement of the photoelectric unit 60, from an initial position shown in FIG. 6 to a Sensing position shown in FIG. 7, controls the movement of the printing material 36, and, consequently, the spacing of indicia 64 on the printing material. The photoelectric control unit 60 includes a yoke or housing 100 which is pivotally mounted on a transversely extending shaft 102. A plurality of photocells 104 are mounted in a spaced apart relationship in a head portion 106 of the yoke or housing 100. The photocells 104 are activated by a projected image of the index mark 42 when the photoelectric control unit 60 is pivoted into the sensing position adjacent to the printing station 38, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the photocells 104 are spaced different transverse distances from the printing station 38. This spacing of the photocells 104 is necessitated by the fact that the projected image of the type character 40, and the associated index mark 42, can be increased or decreased in size by adjusting the projector unit 26 and optical lens assembly 28 relative to the printing unit 30. When the type character 40 is relatively small in size, the index mark 42 is spaced at small distance from the type character 40 and the photocell closest to the printing station 38 is activated by the projected image of the index mark 42. Conversely, when the projected image of the type character 40 is relatively large, the index mark 42 is spaced a relatively large distance from the type character 40, and a photocell further from the printing station 38 is activated by the projected image of the index mark 42. Thus, the photoelectric cell 104, which is activated by the index mark 42, is a function of the focusing of the projector unit 26. A control switch 110 (see FIG. 1) is manually actuatable to select the photocell which is to be connected into the control circuit according to the spacing of the projected image of the index mark 42 relative to the printing station 38.

A photoelectric drive assembly 112 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The photoelectric drive assembly 112 includes a photoelectric drive roller 114, which can be selectively placed into frictional engagement with the idler roller 78 (as shown in FIG. 7). A lift or strap roller 116 is mounted in a coaxial relationship with the drive roller 114 on the common mounting shaft 118. The lift roller 116 is secured to the shaft so that the lift roller 116 and drive roller 114 are fixed relative to each other. The lift roller 116 is connected to the yoke or housing 100 by a lift strap or belt 120. The lift strap or belt 120 is connected to the lift roller 116 by a radially inwardly projecting connector screw 122. The photoelectric assembly 60- is pivoted from a lowermost or initial position, shown in FIG. 6, to a second sensing position adjacent to the print ing station 38, as illustrated in FIG. 7, by clockwise rotation of the lift roller 116.

The photoelectric drive assembly is driven by frictional engagement between the idler roller 78 and the photoelectric drive roller 114 (see FIG. 7). When the idler roller 78 is rotated counterclockwise, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7, the photoelectric drive roller 1|14 is rotated in a clockwise direction to lift the photoelectric control unit 60 upwardly from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7. As previously mentioned, the idler roller 78 is rotated by direct frictional engagement With the inner surface 80 of the photosensitive printing material 36. Therefore, the rotation of the idler roller 78, the photoelectric drive roller 114, and the photoelectric control unit 60 is directly proportional to the downward movement of the photosensitive printing material 36 relative to the printing station. This drive arrangement for the photoelectric control unit 60 results in an even spacing of type characters on the photosensitive printing material 36 even if the drive roller 74 should slip relative to the photosensive printing material 36.

Once the exposed photosensitive printing material has been moved for a predetermined distance relative to the printing station 38, the photoelectric control unit 60 is moved from the sensing position back to the initial position to provide a control for the spacing of the next subsequent type character on the photosensitive printing material 36. The photoelectric control unit 60 is moved to the initial position by pivoting the drive roller 114 out of frictional engagement with the idler roller 78, as illustrated in FIG. 6. When the photoelectric drive roller 114 is moved out of frictional engagement with the idler roller 78, the photoelectric drive roller 114 is freely rotatable on the mounting shaft 1:18. The photoelectric control unit 60 can then rotate the lift roller 116 and drive roller 114 as the yoke pivots downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 6 under the weight of the yoke and head 106 of the photoelectric control unit. As the yoke 100 pivots downwardly, the strap is pulled to rotate both the lift roller 116 and the drive roller 114 from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 6. The Weight of the photoelectric control unit is partially offset by a counterbalancing spring 126 which is connected to an end of the strap 120 opposite from the yoke 100. The counterbalancing spring 126 prevents the photocells 104 from being severely jolted when the yoke 100 pivots from the position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 6.

The photoelectric drive roller 114 is mounted on a second yoke 128 which is pivotally mounted on a transversely extending shaft v130. The yoke or frame 128 is pivoted about the shaft 130 by an actuator solenoid 132 (see FIGS 8 and 9) which is connected to the yoke 128 by a linkage 134. The linkage 134 (as shown in FIG. 9) includes a vertically extending connector bar 136 which is attached to a pivot bar 138. The pivot bar 138 extends perpendicularly from the yoke 128. From a consideration of FIG. 9, taken in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7, it is apparent that when the actuator solenoid 132 is energized, the connector bar 136 is drawn downwardly to pivot the yoke 128 about the mounting shaft 130. As the yoke 128 is pivoted about the mounting shaft 130, the photoelectric drive roller 114 is moved from the position engaging the idler roller 78 (see FIG. 7) to a position spaced apart from the idler roller 78 (see FIG. 6).

When the actuator solenoid 132 is deenergized, a spring 140 pulls the connector bar 136 upwardly to force the photoelectric drive roller 114 into secure frictional engagement with the idler roller 78 as shown in FIG. 7. The photoelectric drive roller 114 is also urged into engagement with the idler roller 78 by the strap 120 which is loaded by both the weight of the photoelectric control unit 60 and the counterbalancing spring 126. The strap (120 urges the photoelectric drive roller 114 into engagement with the idler roller 78 since the center of the mounting shaft 118 for the lift roller 116 and photoelectric drive roller 114 is offset relative to the center of the shaft 130 around which the yoke 128 pivots. This offset results in the strap 120 applying a torque to the photoelectric drive which tends to pivot the drive around the shaft 130 to engage the photoelectric drive roller 114 with the idler roller 78. Of course, this pivotal force is augmented by the spring 140 which pulls upwardly on the pivot rod 138. Thus, the photoelectric drive roller 114 is maintained in firm frictional engagement with the idler roller 78 by both the spring 140 and the strap 120. This results in the rotation of both the photoelectric drive roller 114 and the movement of the photoelectric control unit 60 being directly proportional to the rotation of the idler roller 78 and the movement of the printing material relative to the printing station 38.

If the movement of the photoelectric control unit 60 was not directly proportional to the movement of the printing material 36, due to slippage between the printing material 36 and either the printing material drive 48 or the photoelectric drive 112, the characters 64 would not be spaced the same distance apart on the printing material. It should be noted that the strap 120 provides a direct drive with the lift roller 116 so that the movement of the photoelectric unit 60 is directly proportional to the rotation of the lift roller I116. If a gear drive had been utilized to move the photoelectric unit 60 from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7, there is a possibility of uneven spacing of the type characters 64 due to backlash in a gear drive train between the photoelectric control unit 60 and the photoelectric drive assembly.

The lower or initial position of the photoelectric control unit 60, as is seen in FIG. 6-, can be adjusted relative to the upper or sensing position of the photoelectric control unit, as is seen in FIG. 7. This adjustment is made by means of a micrometer screw assembly 144 which is shown in elevation in FIGS. 1 and 8. Referring to FIG. 8, the micrometer screw assembly 144 includes a spindle 146 upon which a positioning member 148 rests when the photoelectric control unit is in the lower position shown in FIG. 6. The positioning member 148 is rigidly connected to the yoke or housing 100 of the photoelectric control unit 60. The spindle 146 is moved axially by adjusting a thimble 150 of the micrometer screw assembly 144 relative to a sleeve 152 of the micrometer screw assembly. The relative position of the spindle 146 is indicated by indicia 154 on the sleeve 152 cooperable with indicia 156 on the thimble 150. Since the positioning member or shaft 148 is rigidly connected to the housing 100 of the photoelectric control unit 60, the indicia 154 and 156 clearly indicate the initial or lower position of the photoelectric control unit 60 relative to the printing station 38. The direct engagement of the positioning member 148 with the spindle eliminates any possibility of inaccurate initial positioning of the photoelectric control unit 60 and the resulting uneven spacing of the type characters on the printing material 36.

In view of the preceding remarks, it will be apparent that the photosensitive printing material 36 is moved past a printing station 38 by the printing material drive assembly 48. The printing material drive assembly 48 includes a drive roller 74 which engages a first side of the photosensitive printing material and an idler roller 78 which is positioned in opposition with the drive roller on the opposite of the printing material. This positioning of the drive and idler rollers results in the rotation of the idler roller 78 being at all times proportional to the movement of the photosensitive printing material 36.

A photoelectric control unit 60 is provided to limit the movement of the printing material relative to the printing station to a predetermined amount. By so limiting the movement of the printing material, constant spacing of type characters 64 relative to each other on the printing material is provided. To limit the movement of the printing material, the photoelectric control unit 60 is moved by a photoelectric drive assembly 112 from an initial lower position to a sensing position. When the photoelectric control unit 60 has been lifted a predetermined distance from the initial lower position (shown in FIG. 6) to a second sensing position adjacent to the printing station 38 (shown in FIG. 7), an image of an index mark 42 associated with a type character is projected onto a photocell 104 of the photoelectric control unit 60. The spacing between the type characters formed on the printing material 36 is constant, even if the drive roller 74 slips relative to the printing material, since the photoelectric drive assembly 112 is driven by the idler roller 78, which is driven in turn by the movement of the printing material 36.

The photoelectric control unit 60' is pivoted back, from the sensing position to the initial position, by disengaging the drive roller 114 from the idler roller 78. When the drive roller 114 is disengaged from the idler roller 73, the drive roller is freely rotatable on the shaft 118 to enable the photoelectric control unit to pivot downwardly about the mounting shaft 102 under the force of gravity. As the photoelectric control unit 60 pivots downwardly, the positioning member 148 engages the spindle 146 of a micrometer screw assembly 144 when the photoelectric control unit is at a predetermined initial position. Of course, the initial position can be adjusted by rotating the thimble 150 of the micrometer screw assembly 144 to move the spindle 146 of the micrometer screw assembly relative to the sensing position. This movement of the spindle 146 varies the spacing between the characters 64 on the printing material because the distance which the photoelectric control unit 60 moves relative to the printing station is directly proportional to the movement of the printing material 36 relative to the printing station. Therefore, the distance between type characters formed on the printing material 36 can be selectively varied by moving the spindle 146 relative to the printing station 38.

The movement of the shutter 52 from the first position covering the printing station, illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3, to the second position spaced from the printing station, illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 3, is coordinated with the movement of the photoelectric control unit 60 by the actuator solenoid 54 which, as previously mentioned, is connected to the shutter 52 by the linkage 56. As is perhaps best seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the linkage 56 includes a central mounting shaft which is rotatably mounted in a longitudinally extending bearing 162. The shutter 52 is connected to a forwardmost end of the shaft 160. The solenoid 54 is connected to the shaft 160 by a radially outwardly protruding arm 164 which is positioned intermediate opposite ends of the shaft. The arm 164 is connected to the shaft by a suitable threaded connection at 166. The arm 164 is also connected to the solenoid 54 by a slotted connector link 168.

A switch arm is connected to a rearmost end portion of the shaft 160. The switch arm 170 includes an outwardly extending foot or actuator bar 172 which engages a roller 17-4 of a limit switch 176 when the shutter 52 is in the first or covering position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 3. The shutter is moved to the second position beneath the printing station 38, as illustrated in dash lines in FIG. 3, by energizing the solenoid 54. When the solenoid 54 is energized, the connector link 168 and arm 154 are pulled downwardly to pivot the shutter 52 downwardly away from the printing station 38. Contemporaneously with this pivoting movement of the shutter 52, the switch arm 170 is pivoted upwardly so that the foot or actuator lever 172 is moved away from the roller 174 of the limit switch 176. The limit switch 176 is normally open and is retained in a closed position by the engagement of the foot 172 with the roller 174. As will be explained in greater detail subsequently, when the limit switch 176 is opened by the pivoting movement of the switch arm 170 away from the limit switch 17 6, the motor 70 (see FIG. 8) is disabled, since the circuit for energizing the motor 70 includes the switch 176 which must be closed before the motor can be energized. Thus, the photosensitive printing material 36 cannot be moved relative to the printing station 38 when the printing material is being exposed to a projected image of a type character since the switch 176 is open at that time. A spring 180 is connected to the'foot 172 to pull the shutter and linkage back to the position shown in FIG. 11, when the solenoid 54 is deenergized.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 5, it can be seen that a cutter assembly is provided adjacent to the printing station 38 for cutting the strip of printing material 36. As

is perhaps best seen in FIG. 5, the cutter assembly 190 includes a cutter bar 192 having a handle 194. The cutter bar is pivotally mounted at an end opposite from the handle 194, on a suitable connection 196. A spring 198 is provided for retaining the cutter bar behind the rear surface 80 of the printing material. When the handle 194 is grasped and pulled outwardly, the cutter bar 192 cuts the printing material 36 on a cutting edge 200 (see FIG. 1). It should be noted that the cutter assembly 190 is positioned between the drive assembly 48 for the printing material and the printing station 38 so that, after cutting, the exposed printing material can be moved downwardly into the storage chamber in the base 22 of the printing machine. The unexposed end of the printing material is retained between the rollers 74 and 78 to faciltate subsequent movement of the printing material downwardly adjacent to the printing station for the printing of subsequent series of type characters.

The movements of the shutter 52, the printing material 36, and the photoelectric control unit 60 relative to the printing station 38 are regulated by a control circuitry 210 illustrated in FIG. 12. The control circuitry 210 includes three primary circuits; that is, a focusing circuit, a paper drive circuit, and a main exposure circuit. The focusing circuit energizes a projector lamp 212 to enable an image of a type character to be projected by the projector unit 26 onto the printing unit 30 while the optical lens assembly 28 (see FIG. 1) is focused. The paper drive circuit is selectively energizable to move the photosensitive printing material 36 relative to the printing station 38. The main exposure circuit, as the name implies, is selectively energizable to coordinate the movements of the photoelectric control unit 60 and shutter 52 relative to the printing station 38 to print the image of a preselected type character on the photosensitive printing material 36. The three circuits are controlled by various switches which are mounted on the control panel 24 (see FIG. 1).

The operation of the printing machine 20 is begun by adjusting the position of the projector unit 26 and the optical lens assembly 28 relative to the printing unit 30 to focus a sharp clear image of a type character on the printing material 36. The focusing operation is controlled by a switch 214 on the control panel 24 (see FIGS. 1 and 12). The switch 214 is movable from a'first off position to either a focus position or an expose position. During the focusing phase in the operation of the printing machine 20, the switch 214 is moved to the focus position. When the switch 214 has been actuated to the focus position and a main on-olf switch 216 has been turned on, the focusing circuit is energized to project an image of a selected type character onto the photosensitive printing material at the printing station 38. By varying the relationship between the printing unit 30 and the projector 26 and optical lens assembly 28, the size of the image of the type character 40 which is formed on the photosensitive printing material 36 can be varied.

During the focusing phase of the operation, the shutter 52 is pivoted downwardly, away from the printing station 38, to enable the image of the selected type character to be projected onto the photosensitive printing material in the same manner in which the image will be projected onto the photosensitive printing material during the exposure or printing phase of the operation. Therefore, the solenoid 54 is energized while the printing machine 20 is being focused to retain the shutter 52 in a lower position in which the printing station 38 is uncovered.

During the focusing of the printing machine, the solenoid 132 is energized to pivot the photoelectric drive roller 114 out of engagement with the idler roller 78 to enable the photoelectric control unit 60 to pivot to the initial position in engagement with the spindle 146 of the micrometer screw assembly 144. As will be explained in greater detail subsequently, the positioning of the photoelectric control unit 60 against the spindle 146 of the micrometer screw assembly 144 locates the photoelectric control unit 60' for a subsequent exposure of the printing material. While the projector is being focused, a light 218, on the control panel 24, is energized to indicate that the on-oif switch 216 has been actuated to the on position and that electric current is being conducted to the printing machine 20 through main supply leads 222 and 224. Also, a second indicator light 226 is energized to indicate that the projector lamp 212 is also energized.

Turning now to a more detailed explanation of the focusing circuit, the circuit extends from the on-otf switch 216 through the normally closed contacts 228 of a main control relay 230 to the focus-expose switch 214. The on-off switch 216 and the focus-expose switch 214 are interconnected by leads 234, 236 which are in turn connected by a lead 238 to the normally closed contacts 228 of the main control relay 230. The normally closed contacts 228 of the main control relay 230 are connected by a lead 240 to a first contact 242 of the focus-expose switch 214. The contact 242 of the focus-expose switch 214 is connected, when the switch 214 is in the focus position, by a lead 243 to the projector lamp 212. The circuit for energizing the projector lamp 212 is completed to the lead 222 by a lead 244 from the lamp 212. Thus, when the focus-expose switch is actuated to the focus position, a circuit extends from the two supply leads 222 and 224 through the normally closed contacts 228 of the control relay 230, through the focus-expose switch 214 to energize the projector lamp 212.

The focus-expose switch 214 includes a connector bar 246 for interconnecting the terminal 242 with a terminal 248 of the switch 214 when the switch is in the focus position. The terminal 248' is connected by a lead 250 to the shutter solenoid 54 and to the photoelectric drive control solenoid 132. The shutter solenoid 54 and photoelectric drive control solenoid 132 are connected in parallel by a lead 252 which extends to the power supply line 222 to complete a circuit for energizing the shutter solenoid and photoelectric control solenoid. The lead 250 is also connected, by a lead 256, to an interlock relay 258 which is in turn connected by a lead 260 to the power supply line 222. The energization of the interlock relay 258 opens normally closed relay contacts 262. The normally closed relay contacts 262- are connected to the power supply line 222 by a lead 264. The contacts 262 are also connected to the main control relay 230 by the lead 266. When the interlock relay 258 is energized, the normally closed relay contacts 262 are opened to prevent the main control relay 230 from being energized through the leads 264 and 266. Thus, the interlock relay 258 prevents the main control relay 230 from being energized to open the normally closed contacts 228- while an image of a type character is being focused on the printing material 36 at the printing station 38.

In view of the preceding remarks, it is apparent that when the printing machine 20 is being focused, the power supply line 224 is connected, through the on-olf switch 216 and the focus-expose switch 214, to energize the projector lamp 212. The shutter solenoid 54 and photoelectric drive solenoid 132 are also energized, during the focusing of the printing machine 20, to uncover the printing station 38 and to enable a photoelectric control unit 60 to pivot downwardly to an initial position against the spindle 146 of a micrometer screw assembly 144. It should be noted that when the shutter solenoid 54 is energized, the switch 176 (see FIG. 11) is in its normal open position. When the shutter solenoid 54 is deenergized, the switch 176 is retained in a closed position by an actuator bar or foot 172 which extends from the arm 170 and is connected to the shaft to which the shutter 52 is also connected. When the solenoid 54 is energized, the shaft 160 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction and the foot 172 is swung out of engagement with the switch 176. Therefore, when the solenoid 54 is energized, during the focusing phase of the operation of the printing machine,

1 1 the switch 176 is open to prevent the motor 70 from moving the photosensitive printing material 36 relative to the printing station 38 (see FIG. 12). I

After the printing machine has been focused, the paper drive circuit is energized to move a section of photosensitive printing material 36, which was exposed during the focusing operation, relative to the printing station 38 so that unexposed printing material 36 is located at the printing station. Generally speaking, the printing material drive circuit extends from the on-ofI switch 216 through the normally closed contacts 228 of the control relay 230, through a paper advance switch 270 to the motor 70 for driving the printing material relative to the printing station. Specifically, the printing material drive circuit includes the power supply lead 224 which is connected to the on-off switch 216 by leads 234, 236, and 238 to the normally closed contacts 228 of the main control relay 230' in the manner previously explained. The normally closed contacts 228 of the main control relay 230 are connected by a lead 272 to a terminal 274 of the paper advance switch 270. The paper advance switch includes a connector bar 276 which connects the terminal 274 to a terminal 278 when the switch is closed or actuated. The terminal 278 on the paper advance switch 270 is connected by leads 280, 282, and 284 to the drive motor 70. The drive motor 70 is in turn connected by a lead 286 to the power supply lead 222. Thus, photosensitive printing material is advanced relative to the printing station after the printing machine has been focused, by moving the focus-expose switch 214 to the olf position and closing the paper advance switch 270. When the paper advance switch 270 is closed, the electric motor 70 is energized to move the previously exposed photosensitive printing material past the printing station and advance unexposed printing material into position at the printing station.

A signal light 290 is mounted on the control panel 24 adjacent to the paper advance switch 270, to indicate when the drive motor 70 is energized to advance the photosensitive printing material relative to the printing station. A fuse unit 292 is connected to the drive motor 70 to disable the printing material drive circuit in the event of overloading of the motor 70. After the printing machine 20 has been focused and the exposed printing material advanced past the printing station 38, the switch 270 is returned to its normal position (shown in FIG. 12) wherein the contacts 274 and 278 are open.

The printing machine 20 is now ready to begin the normal exposure operation during which a series of type characters or other indicia are formed on photosensitive printing material at a printing station 38. The exposure operation is started by moving the switch 214 to the expose position. The main exposure circuit is then controlled by a switch 300 (see FIG. 12). Unlike the on-off switch 216, the focus-expose switch 214, and the paper advance switch 270, the exposure control switch 300 is not mounted (in a preferred embodiment of the invention) on the control panel 24. The exposure control switch 300 is mounted on the projector unit adjacent to a slidepositioning assembly. A slide-positioning assembly (not shown) actuates the main exposure control switch 300 whenever a slide is positioned between the projection lamp 212 and optical lens assembly 28.

w The operation of the normally closed exposure control switch 300 completes a circuit to energize the main control relay 230. The circuit for energizing the main control relay 230 includes a lead 302, which is connected to the exposure control switch 300 and to the main control relay 230. The other side of the main control relay 230 is connected by the leads 264 and 266 through the normally closed contacts 262 to the power supply line 222. Thus when the exposure control switch 300 is actuated, power is conducted from the supply line 224 through the on-oif switch 216 and leads 234 and 302 to the solenoid 230. The circuit is completed from the solenoid 230 to the lead 266, the normally closed contacts 262 of the interlock relay 258 to the power supply line 222, over the lead 264. Since the switch 214' is in the expose position, the interlock relay 258, which is connected to the terminal 248 of the switch 214, is maintained in a deenergized condition so that the contacts 262 remain closed during the exposure operation.

After the main control relay 230 has been energized or actuated by the actuation of the exposure control switch 300, the main control relay 230 is locked in a closed position until the exposure of the photosensitive printing material to a projected image of the selected type character has been completed. The main control relay 230- is locked in the energized or operated condition over its own normally open contacts 306. The contacts 306 are connected to the power supply line 224 by leads 236 and 234 and the on-off switch 216. The contacts 306 are connected to the coil of the main control relay 230 by a lead 308 which is connected to the normally closed contacts 310 of a photoelectrically controlled relay 312. The contacts 310 are in turn connected by a lead 314 to the main control relay 230. The circuit is completed by the leads 266 and 264 to the power supply line 222. Thus, during the exposure phase of the operation of the printing machine 20, the main control relay 230 is locked in an energized condition over its own contacts 306 and the contacts 310 of the photoelectrically controlled relay 312.

The energization or operation of the main control relay 230 closes the normally open contacts 320 to complete a circuit from the on-off switch 216 through the leads 234, 236, and 238, the closed contacts 320, and a lead 322, to the lower terminals 324 and 326 of the paper advance switch 270, through the connector bar 328 which is in its normal closed position. The terminal 326 of the paper advance switch 270 is connected in parallel relationship with the projector lamp 212 and a timer 330. The terminal 326 is connected to the projector lamp 212 by leads, 332, 334, the focus-expose switch 214, through the terminal 336, the connector bar 246, and the lead 243. Thus actuation of the exposure control switch 300 energizes the main control relay 230 to complete a circuit over the normally open contacts 320 of the relay 230, to the paper advance switch 270 to energize the projector lamp 212 and project an image of a selected type character onto the printing unit 30.

contemporaneously with the energization of the projector lamp 212, the timer 330 is energized over leads 340 and 342 to close the normally open timer contacts 344. A signal light 345 is provided to indicate when the timer 330 is energized. The closing of the normally open timer contacts 344 completes a circuit to energize the shutter solenoid 54 and the photoelectric drive solenoid 132. The circuit for energizing the shutter solenoid 54 and photoelectric drive solenoid 132 extends from the terminal 326 of the paper advance switch 270 through the leads 332 to a lead 346 which is connected to the timer contacts 344. The timer contacts 344 are in turn connected by a lead 348 to the lead 250 which extends to the solenoids 132 and 54. The circuit for energizing the solenoid-s 132 and 54 is completed over the lead 252 to the supply line 222. Thus, during the exposure phase of the operation of the printing machine 20, the shutter 52 is pivoted downwardly to a position uncovering the printing station 38 to enable an image of a selected type character to be projected onto the printing material at the printing station. contemporaneously with the downward movement of the shutter 52, the switch contacts 176 are opened to disable the motor 70 from driving the photosensitive printing material relative to the printing station 38. It will be apparent that if the printing material 36 was moved relative to the printing station 38 during the exposure operation, a blurred replica of the type character would be formed on the photosensitive printing material.

Energization of the photoelectric drive solenoid 132 pivots the photoelectric drive roller 114 out of frictional engagement with the idler roller 78. As previously explained, when the photoelectric drive roller 114 is pivoted out of frictional engagement with the idler roller 78, the

13 photoelectric control unit 60 pivots downwardly to an initial position in engagement with a spindle 146 of the micrometer screw assembly 144.

The timer 330 is set for a predetermined time period, by means of a dial on the control unit 224, during which the contacts 344 are maintained in a closed position. At the end of the predetermined time period, the contacts 344 are opened (in a known manner). The opening of the contacts 344, at the end of the predetermined time period, deenergizes the shutter solenoid 54 to enable the :shutter 52 to pivot back to its original covering position intermediate the projector lens assembly 28 and the printing station 38. In this position the shutter 52 blocks the projection of an image of a type character onto the photosensitive printing material 36 at the printing station 38. When the shutter 52 pivots back to its original covering position, the contacts of the switch 176 are closed to enable the motor 70 to be energized.

The motor 70 is then energized by power conducted from the paper advance switch 270 through the lead 334, a lead 350 which is connected to the switch 176-, and a lead 352 which is connected to the lead 284 of the motor 70. The circuit for energizing the motor 70 is completed to the power supply 222 over the lead 286 through the fuse 292. Energization of the motor 70 operates the printing material drive assembly 48 to advance the photosensitive printing material 36 relative to the printing station 38.

As the printing material is advanced, the photoelectric drive roller is driven by frictional engagement with the idler roller 78 to lift the photoelectric control unit from the initial position in contact with spindle 146 (as shown in FIG. 6) to the sensing position adjacent to the printing station 38 (as shown in FIG. 7). When the photoelectric control unit 60 is in the sensing position, an image of the index mark 42 is projected onto the photocells 104 of the photoelectric control unit. The light from the projection of the image of the index mark onto the photoelectric control unit activates a selected photocell 104 to energize the relay 312 and open the normally closed contacts 310. The sensitivity of the relay 312 can be adjusted by a suitable control means 361 which is mounted on the control panel 24 when the normally closed contacts 310 are opened, the holding circuit for the main control relay 230 is broken, and the relay 230 is deenergized. Deenergization of the relay 230 disables the motor 70 since current for the motor was conducted through the normally open contacts 320 of the main control relay 230.

The circuit for energizing the relay 312 extends from the contact 326 of the paper advance switch 270 through the leads 334, 350, the closed contacts 176 (it should be remembered that the shutter 52 is now in the covering position, closing the contacts 176), and the leads 352, 282, and 360. The lead 360 is connected to the switch 110 which includes a selector bar 362. The selector bar 362 is movable to select any one of three photoelectric cells which are mounted in the photoelectric control unit 60. The photocells are in turn connected to one side of the relay 312 by the lead 364. The circuit for energizing the relay 312 is completed by the lead 366 wihch is connected to the power supply line 222. When the selected photoelectric cell is energized by the projection of the image of the index mark 42 onto the selected photoelectric cell, current is conducted through the cell to the lead 364 to energize the relay 312 and open the contacts 310. It should be noted that the movement of the photoelectric control until 60 from the initial position in engagement with the spindle 146 of the micrometer screw assembly 144, to the sensing position adjacent to the printing station, is a direct function of the movement of the photosensitive printing material relative to the printing station. Therefore, the blank space between the replicas of the type characters which are formed on the photosensitive printing material, by the previously described exposure operation, is a function of the travel of the photoelectric control unit. When the photoelectric control unit 60 has reached the end of its travel-that is, when the image of the index mark 42 is projected onto a selected photoelectric cell 104the movement of the printing material 36 relative to the printing station is halted.

The next character in a series of type characters is formed on the photosensitive printing material by removing the previously projected slide from the position intermediate the projector lamp 212 and the optical lens assern bly 28 and inserting the slide corresponding to the type character which is to be subsequently projected. As the second slide is inserted into position, the exposure control switch 300 is again actuated to energize the main control relay 230. As previously indicated, when the main control relay 230 is energized the timer 330 is energized through the normally closed contacts 320 of the main control relay 230. The energization of the timer 330 results in the shutter solenoid 54 being energized with the energization of the photoelectric drive control solenoid 132. Energization of the photoelectric drive control solenoid 132 pivots the photoelectric drive roller 114- out of frictional engagement with the idler roller 78. When the photoelectric drive roller 114 is pivoted out of frictional engagement with the idler roller 78, the photoelectric control unit is free to pivot from the sensing position shown in FIG. 7 to the initial position, in engagement with the spindle 146, shown in FIG. 6. As previously explained, contemporaneously with the movement of the shutter 52 to the uncovering position and the movement of the photoelectric control unit 60 to the initial position, an image of the selected type character is projected onto the photosensitive printing material at the printing station 38. Thus a second image of a type character is formed on the photosensitive printing material, spaced a predetermined distance from the first image. At the end of the predetermined time period, the timer 330 opens the contacts 344 to deenergize the shutter solenoid 54 and photoelectric drive solenoid 132. This printing process is repeated until the entire series of characters is formed.

The operation of the printing machine 20 will be apparent from the foregoing description. However, for purposes of affording a more complete understanding of the invention, it is advantageous now to provide a functional description of the mode in which the component parts cooperate. The printing machine 20 includes a projector unit 26 and a printing unit 30. During the printing operation, a slide member will be positioned intermedate a projector lamp 212 and an optical lens assembly 28 to project an image of a type character, or other indicia, formed on the slide onto the photosensitive printing material. The photosensitive printing material will be exposed to the projected image of the type character for a predetermined time period. At the end of the predetermined time period, the timer 330 will open the contacts 344 to pivot a shutter 52 in front of the printing station 38 to block the projection of the image of a type character onto the photosensitive printing material. contemporaneously with the pivoting movement of the shutter 52, the photoelectric drive roller 114 will be pivoted into frictional engagement with the idler roller 78. The motor 70 is then energized, through the contacts of the switch 176 which will be closed by the pivoting movement of the shutter 52 to the covering position.

Energization of the motor 70 will move the photosensitive printing material relative to the printing station. Also, the control unit 60 will be lifted by a lift roller 116 as a direct function of the amount of movement of the photosensitive printing material 36 relative to the printing station 38. When the photosensitive printing material 36 has been moved for a predetermined distance relative to the printing station 38, an image of an index mark 42 will be projected onto the photoelectric control unit 60. The image of the index mark 42 will activate a selected photocell 104 in the photoelectric control unit 60 to deenergize the motor 70 and stop the movement of the photosensitive printing material 36 rela- 15 tive to the printing station 38. In this manner, a replica of a type character will be formed on the photosensitive printing material 36'.

The previously selected slide will then be removed from the projector 26. A slide corresponding to the second selected type character Will then be inserted into the projector unit 26. contemporaneously with the insertion of a second slide into the projector unit 26, the exposure control switch 300 will be actuated to energize the main control relay 230 and the timer 330 to begin the exposure process for the second character in a series. By repeating process, a series of characters will be formed on the photosensitive printing material 36. After the series has been formed, the photosensitive printing material will be moved relative to the printing station 38, by pressing the paper advance switch 270 until the entire exposed section of the printing material has been moved downwardly into a storage container. Then a cutter bar assembly 190 will be pulled forwardly to cut the photosensitive printing material intermediate the printing material drive roller 74 and the printing station 38. Thus, even after a portion of the printing material has been exposed and cut off from the main supply of printing material, the printing material will still be threaded between the drive roller 74 and idler roller 78 of the printing material drive 48, to advance the printing material for a subsequent series of characters.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims:

What is claimed is:

1. A printing machine comprising: base means; a printing station mounted on the base means; a projector unit mounted on the base means, said projector unit including a light source and an optical lens assembly for projecting an image of a type character and an index mark associated with the type character, the image of the type character being projected onto photosensitive printing material at the printing station; a first drive means for moving the photosensitive printing material relative to the printing station, said first drive means including a first drive roller on a first side of the photosensitive printing material and an idler roller in engagement with a second side of the printing material; photoelectric means mounted for movement from an initial position to sensing position where an image of the index mark is projected onto said photoelectric means; means interconnected with said first drive means for preventing the image of the type character from 'being projected onto the photosensitive printing material during movethereof; and a second drive means connected to said photoelectric means for moving said photoelectric means from the initial position to the sensing position, said second drive means including a second drive roller in frictional engagement with said idler roller, whereby said photoelectric means is moved from said first position towards said sensing position as a direct function of the movement of said printing material relative to said printing station.

2. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said photoelectric means includes a plurality of spaced apart photoelectric cells, and control circuit means interconnecting said photoelectric means and said first drive means, said control circuit means including switch means for interconnecting said drive means with a selected one of said plurality of photoelectric cells as a function of the spacing between the projected image of the type character and the projected image of the index mark.

3. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1, further including: a micrometer screw assembly supported by said base means, said photoelectric means including a positioning member for engaging a spindle means of said micrometer screw assembly when said photoelectric means is in the initial position, said spindle means of the micrometer screw assembly being selectively adjustable to varythe spatial relationship between the initial and sensing positions of said photoelectric means.

4. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1, wherein: said second drive means includes a lift roller means connected to said second drive roller and a strap connected to said photoelectric means and to said lift roller means, said strap means being movable by rotation of said lift roller means to move said photoelectric means from the initial position to the sensing position.

5. A printing machine as set forth in claim 4, wherein: said second drive roller is selectively movable from a first roller position in engagement with said idler roller to a second roller position disengaged from said idler roller, said lift roller means being rotated in a first direction when said second drive roller is in the first roller position to move said strap means in the first direction and said photoelectric means from the initial position to the sensing position, said lift roller means being rotated in a second direction when said drive roller means is in the second roller position to enable said strap means to move in the second direction and said photoelectric means to move from the sensing position to the initial position.

6. A printing machine as set forth in claim 5-, further including: counterbalancing means connected to one end of said strap means to at least partially offset the weight of said photoelectric means which is connected to an opposite end of said strap means.

7. A printing machine as set forth in claim 1, further including: cutter bar means mounted intermediate said first drive means and said printing station, said cutter bar means being movable outwardly towards said projector unit from a position on the second side of said printing material to cut an exposed portion of said printing material from a main supply of said printing material, whereby said first drive means is in engagement with printing material extending from said main supply of printing material after said exposed portion of said printing material has been cut from said main supply of printing material.

8. A printing machine comprising: a base member; a printing station supported by said base member; a projector unit supported by said base member, said projector unit including a light source and an optical lens assembly for projecting an image of a type character and an index mark associated with the type character; a shutter means mounted for movement from a first shutter position intermediate said lens assembly and said printing station to a second shutter position; a first drive means for moving photosensitive printing material relative to said printing station, said first drive means including a first roller in frictional engagement with a first side of said photosensitive printing material and a second roller opposing said first roller in frictional engagement with a second side of the photosensitive printing material, said first roller being driven to move the photosensitive printing material relative to said printing station and to contemporaneously therewith rotate said second roller through the frictional engagement of said second roller with the second side of the printing material; photoelectric means mounted for movement from a first position to a second position in which an image of the index mark is projected onto said photoelectric means to activate said photoelectric means; a second drive means connected to said photoelectric means to move said photoelectric means from said first position to said second position, said second drive means including a third roller movable from a first position to a second position, said third roller in the first position being in frictional engagement with said second roller to move said photoelectric means from said first position to said second position as the printing material is moved relative to said printing station, and said third roller in the second position being spaced apart from said second roller to enable said photoelectric means to move from the second position to the first position; positioning means supported by said base means for engaging said photoelectric means when said photoelectric means is in the first position, said positioning means being adjustable to selectively vary the first position of said photoelectric means relative to the second position of said photoelectric means to change the spatial relationship between type characters on the printing material; and control circuit means interconnecting said light source, said first drive means, and said photoelectric means, said control circuit means including actuator means for moving said shutter means from said first shutter position to said second shutter position and for moving said third roller from the first position to the second position.

9. A printing machine as set forth in claim 8, wherein: said second drive means includes a fourth roller mounted in a coaxial relationship with said third roller, said fourth roller being connected to said photoelectric means by strap means to move said photoelectric means from the first position to the second position when said third roller is rotated by said second roller, said third roller being mounted on a pivotal frame means and said strap means being connected to said fourth roller in an offset relationship relative to a center of rotation of the pivotal frame means to urge said third roller into frictional engagement with said second roller.

10. A printing machine as set forth in claim 9, wherein: said actuator means includes a first solenoid means connected to said shutter means and a second solenoid means connected to said third roller, and said control circuit means further includes timer means interconnecting said first and second solenoid means to retain said shutter means in the second shutter position to expose the photosensitive printing material for a predetermined time period and to move said third roller means to the second position to enable said photoelectric means to move to the first position for the photoelectric means before the end of the predetermined time period.

11. A printing machine as set forth in claim 8, Wherein: said photoelectric means includes a plurality of spaced apart photocells; and said control circuit means further includes switch means for selecting one of said plurality of photocells for connection to circuitry for energizing said drive means, said selected photoelectric cell being activated by the image from the index mark when said photoelectric means is in said second position to operate said circuitry to retain the printing material in a fixed relationship relative to the printing station.

12. A printing machine as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said positioning means includes a micrometer screw means; and said photoelectric means includes a stop means for engaging said micrometer screw means when said photoelectric means is in said first position, said micrometer screw means being adjustable to vary the relationship of said stopmeans to said printing station when said photoelectric means is in the first position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,122,075 2/1964- Klyce 954.

JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner 

